ESOPHAGEAL MOTILITY DISORDERS - DIAGNOSIS WITH A BARIUM-RICE STUDY

The purpose of this study was tu evaluate the role of a ''barium-rice' study for diagnosis of dysphagia and oesophageal motility disorders. Material and methods: 203 patients with oesophageal motility disorders of various aetiologies were examined by both conventional barium stud y and a ''barium-rice' study. During the latter, oesophageal clearance of a defined mixture of barium sulfate and boiled rice was measured. Results: The conventional barium study revealed prolonged transit time in only 15.8% (32 of 203 cases), whereas barium-rice study was pathol ogical in 50.8% (103 of 203 cases). In 71 of 171 patients (41.5%) with a normal barium study, barium-rice passage was prolonged. In 23 patie nts, radiological results were confirmed by manometric measurements. C onclusion: Oesophageal motility disorders are detected by a barium-ric e study with high sensitivity independent of the underlying disease. T he barium-rice study offers a simple diagnostic tool revealing quantit ative and reliable results. The barium-rice study is a suitable method for screening and follow-up of patients with dysphagia and oesophagea l motility disorders.